BEND, OR -- Central Oregonians can get up close and personal with the Christmas tree that will soon adorn the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Kassidy Kern, with the Deschutes National Forest, says it stops in Bend on Monday. "We happen to be just on the other side of the mountain from the Willamette National Forest that the Capitol Christmas Tree came off of, this year. This is the Whistle Stop." She tells KBND News, "This is referred to as ‘the people’s tree’ because a 70’-90’ tree will come off a National Forest, and trucked out to D.C. and put in front of the United States Capitol."

Father Christmas will fly in to the Les Schwab Amphitheater on an Air Link helicopter for the occasion; Smokey Bear will be there, too, "Smokey is driving in on a fire engine, as he would," says Kern. The 80' tall Noble Fir is just the second Oregon tree ever to be selected for the U.S. Capitol, "This is the first time a Noble Fir has ever been chosen as the Capitol Christmas Tree; so it’s a first and a second, and we’re very excited."

The tree will be on display starting at 11 a.m. The public is invited to make more ornaments before its big send-off between 1 and 2:30 p.m. Click HERE for details on Monday's Bend event. Visit the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree website for more information on the tree's journey.